AGENTS say Marden’s proximity to the city and Linear Park and diverse housing stock have helped drive up prices by almost 24 per cent over the past year.

RP Data figures show the median price had increased to $625,000 in the year to August 2014 up from $505,000 the previous year.

Toop & Toop Norwood sales partner Debi Zecevich said Marden’s mix of older large homes and new homes built on subdivided land made the suburb attractive to buyers.

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“There’s been a huge increase in the popularity of Marden among families and young professionals because there’s a good combination of older character homes and modern ones that have just been built,” Ms Zecevich said.

“The suburb is also only 10 minutes from the city, is close to Linear Park and also so close to excellent shopping precincts making more people want to live in the area, which will then push the price up a bit.”

There were 24 houses sold in Marden in the year to August 2014.

Harcourts Magill property consultant John Capoccia said Marden had all the benefits of more sought after eastern suburbs at cheaper price.

“I think the main reason for Marden’s spike in median house prices comes down to it being so popular because it’s still more affordable than nearby suburbs like Royston Park and St Peters,” Mr Capoccia said.

“The houses selling in the suburb are all of low maintenance.

“It’s a hop, skip and a jump away from The Parade, Marden Shopping Centre and the Avenues Shopping Centre, so it’s a convenient place to live.”

Median house prices increased 23 per cent in Maylands (to $777,500), 15 per cent in St Morris ($612,500) and 15 per cent in Newton ($438,000).

Harris Real Estate sales consultant Linda Baker said the mix of contemporary and character homes in Maylands and St Morris pushed the median price up.

Ms Baker also said the sale of several higher-priced properties in Maylands and St Morris had also contributed to the spike in median house prices.